Teachers and school staff receive freebies and discounts during Teacher Appreciation Week 2026
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 3
Teachers and school staff receive freebies and discounts during Teacher Appreciation Week 2026
8 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 3
New offers include Buffalo Wild Wings, TGI Fridays, Peet's Coffee and 60 Whataburger classroom grants, as Gallup says 21% of K-12 teachers struggle financially and 46% of those hold second jobs.
Chipotle is giving away 100,000 free meals through May 12, while chains nationwide are offering free breakfasts, burgers, coffee, desserts and percentage discounts, usually with valid school ID.
National Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 4-8, with National Teachers Day on May 5; the observance was established by the NEA in 1985 after earlier lobbying by Eleanor Roosevelt.
Do corporate freebies mask the deeper crisis of low pay and burnout facing America's teachers?
Beyond a free coffee, what proven strategies can actually stop the mass exodus of teachers from classrooms?